Abstract:
The article presents the results of the functional zoning of the delta of transboundary river
Syr Darya, which is located in an ecological disaster zone and is the only watercourse in modern
conditions that supplies the remained part of Aral Sea. Under the conditions of global climate
change, the territories of river deltas in arid regions are subject to active degradation processes,
which are associated both with decrease of their water content and increase of anthropogenic impact.
To determine the current condition of Syr Darya river delta landscapes, a component-by-component
analysis of its main components was carried out. Based on the assessment of use of delta natural
resource potential, the degradation processes associated with the types and intensity of anthropogenic
impact in the conditions of arid climate were identified. The conducted studies formed the basis
for the functional zoning of the territory of Syr Darya river delta, which is a spatial planning of
sustainable land use and landscapes preservation. The developed scheme of functional zoning
of Syr Darya River delta allowed to propose a number of measures with allocation of landscapes
recommended for conservation, restoration, or sustainable use by the certain type of land use with
the minimization of degradation processes.
